Is It Still Beneficial To Hire Remote Workers for Marketing In 2022?

Remote working has slowly grown in reputation over the last ten years. It was the rapid advancement of computer technology that made working from home a reality. However, unforeseen circumstances made it a necessity in 2020. With that situation in the rear-view mirror, though, it seems that many workers are returning to the office.

Companies did find that there were several benefits to hiring remote workers during this period, but have these upsides disappeared? In marketing especially, remote working helped change the industry. People were no longer dependent on talent that may be available to them locally, they are able to expand their horizons globally. With that being said, let’s explore some of the new information about remote working to find out whether it is still a viable working option in 2022.

Cybersecurity

A common issue for businesses in the current era is cybersecurity. With almost every major company operating in the digital space, hackers can now target and steal data using tools from the web. This fact has led to a tighter grip on cybersecurity protocols in the modern office. But can these issues be solved with workers at home?

It may seem like remote workers would struggle to keep up with the current demands of cybersecurity protocols. However, having a workforce stretched far and wide has led to companies being more responsible for their data. Phishing emails are rife in the remote working community, which is why businesses have had to adapt quickly to protect their employees and company data. Many companies choose to give their staff a VPN service, a cyber security protection system that has only become popular because of the increase in remote workers. Therefore, remote working is slowly improving cybersecurity protocols.

Tracking Progress

One of the biggest drawbacks for companies in the remote working era is keeping up employee productivity. Without the motivation of being surrounded by other colleagues, or the ability to check up on employees in real-time, many businesses found that their remote staff members were not being as productive as their in-house team. However, this attitude has changed in the last number of years thanks to a specific technology.

The market saw a need for tracking technology, so it has been available to companies since the start of 2020. This tech can take screenshots of your remote worker’s computers to ensure that they are on track, and the AI within can produce graphs of employee work patterns. These methods aren’t necessary in modern times; however, they go a long way to settling the minds of business leaders that have to operate their company from a distance. If you were to hire marketers remotely, this element of the process is essential. Marketing is typically one of the most important aspects of ensuring that you are able to reach your desired audience or customers.

Employee Wellbeing

Anyone that has participated in a successful digital marketing course will understand that a business’s reputation is key to encouraging customers to use your service. This reputation is mainly forged by how you treat your customers, but it is also affected by your employee happiness.

A team of respected employees is likely to work harder for your business; however, these individuals can also help create a positive appearance for your company. Employee wellbeing is subjective to the individual, but you will find that a lot of people prefer to work from the comfort of their own homes. As such, allowing your employees the opportunity to work remotely can improve employee performance and increase your company’s reputation.

 Health Risks

Not everything is perfect in the world of remote working, however. The more people work from home, the more data can be collected about this approach to business. While you may experience some of the benefits listed above, experts have found a downside to remote working that you should be made aware of.

A recent study has revealed that almost 67% of remote workers fail to get any exercise. This includes the exercise that they would have received during their daily commute. As you can imagine, this statistic has proved that remote working can have a profound negative effect on the health of your employees. This statement is also true when looking at the mental health of employees that work in isolation. It is your job as a manager to ensure that every employee can remain productive in their new work environment, so perhaps it is wise to bring these issues to your remote worker’s attention so that they can continue to benefit from this practice without suffering the ill effects.

Rise in Freelancing

Workers will always be happier working in a field that they enjoy. Since remote working is now so prevalent, it has allowed many workers to pursue their passions in a freelance capacity. Therefore, businesses can receive better content for their company while employees remain delighted in their job roles. This where the marketing industry has seen a large boom. You can hire freelancers for specific elements in your marketing and work with them based on portfolios or previous work they may have finalised.

Conclusion

The idea of remote working has changed over the last decade, and it seems that the concept is here to stay, especially in the marketing industry. There are so many benefits to companies that use this approach, and the small risks can be easily mitigated with the correct management techniques. Therefore, it looks like remote working is still a viable option for businesses in 2022 and beyond.